Guide
What are mirror wills, and are they right for you?
Mirror wills are two separate wills, usually for a couple, with matching terms: each leaves everything to the other, and then to the same people. They are simple and affordable, £350 for the pair with us, but because they are separate documents the survivor is free to change theirs later.
Last reviewed 20 October 2026. General information, not legal advice. All guides
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How they work
Each partner makes their own will. Each says that if they die first, everything goes to the other, and that when the second partner dies, it goes to the people you have chosen together, usually your children. The documents mirror each other, which is where the name comes from.
Why people choose them
- Simple, quick and affordable
- Each partner is protected if the other dies first
- Your children inherit in the end, as you both planned
What they do not do
A mirror will does not stop the survivor changing their will after the first death. If your partner remarries, makes a new will, or needs care and their assets are used, your wishes for your children may not be followed. A mirror will also does not, on its own, protect your share of the home against care fees or remarriage.
Mirror wills or a joint will?
A joint will is a single document signed by both partners and can be tied together so the survivor cannot change it. This can cause real problems if circumstances change, so it is rarely recommended. Mirror wills, or mirror wills with a trust, are the more usual choice.
When to go further
If you have children from earlier relationships, or your home is the main asset and you want to protect it for the next generation, a Property Protection Trust built into your wills gives much more control. Our mirror wills are £350 for the pair, and the Property Protection Trust package is £1,295 with four LPAs.
Quick answers
Common questions
Can my partner change their will after I die?
With ordinary mirror wills, yes. Each will is a separate document, so the survivor can change theirs. That is the main limitation.
Are mirror wills legally binding on both of us?
Not in the sense of stopping the survivor changing theirs. They are two independent wills.
Do mirror wills cover care fees?
No. If you want to protect your share of the home, you would need to look at a Property Protection Trust.
Keep reading
Related guides
What is a Property Protection Trust, and how does it work?
A Property Protection Trust is a trust created in your will.
How should blended families make wills?
If you have children from a previous relationship, a standard will that leaves everything to your new partner can leave your own children with nothing, because your partner can then leave it all to someone else.
How much does a will cost in Derby?
A single will with Jackson Giles costs £250, and mirror wills for a couple cost £350.
Talk to us
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01332 215 151Opening hours
| Monday | 9:00am to 6:00pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9:00am to 6:00pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00am to 6:00pm |
| Thursday | 9:00am to 6:00pm |
| Friday | 9:00am to 6:00pm |
| Saturday | 9:00am to 12:00pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
1st Floor, 1 St James Court
Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1BT